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Fruit and cereal mash (Obst-Getreide-Brei)
6m+ · Germany's dairy-free afternoon mash of fine oat flakes and soft apple or pear
German weaning follows a well-known plan: a vegetable lunch first, then a milk and cereal evening meal, and finally an afternoon Obst-Getreide-Brei, a dairy-free mash of cooked cereal flakes and fruit, usually from around seven months. Fine oat or millet flakes are simmered in water, then stirred into stewed apple or pear with a spoon of rapeseed oil, which German paediatric advice recommends for healthy fats. It is fruity, smooth and naturally sweet. It contains gluten if made with oats (use millet flakes for gluten free); there is no milk, egg, nuts, soya, sesame or fish. Chef's tip: stew the fruit in a little water rather than using juice, which adds sugar.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Baby & toddler safety
- Age: from 6 months+.
- Allergens: none of the common allergens found in the ingredients. Offer one new allergen at a time, in the morning, so you can watch for a reaction.
- Texture and choking: purée or mash smoothly for 6–9 months, then soft, finger-sized pieces that squash between your fingers. Cut round foods such as grapes and cherry tomatoes into quarters lengthways, never give whole nuts, and always stay with your child while they eat.
- Under 1: no honey, no added salt or stock cubes, and no added sugar.
Every child is different. If you are unsure, especially about allergies, check with your health visitor or paediatrician.
Ingredients
- 1 sweet appleor ripe pear, peeled, cored and diced
- ½ cup water
- ⅔ oz fine oat flakesor millet flakes
- 1 tsp rapeseed oil
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Put 1 sweet apple in a small pan with 3 tablespoons of ½ cup water. Cover and cook gently for 8–10 minutes, until the fruit is soft enough to crush with a spoon.
10 minStep 2: Meanwhile, bring the rest of the water to the boil in another pan, stir in ⅔ oz fine oat flakes and simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring, until the flakes are soft and the mixture is thick.
4 minStep 3: Blend or mash the fruit until smooth, then stir in the cooked oats and 1 tsp rapeseed oil. Blend again briefly if your baby needs it very smooth. A common mistake is skipping the oil; it adds fat babies need and gives a creamier mash.
Step 4: Cool until just warm before serving.
Step 5: Cool any spare mash quickly, refrigerate covered for up to 2 days or freeze in portions. Reheat once until piping hot, stir, and cool before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 85 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 13 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does fruit and cereal mash (Obst-Getreide-Brei) take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of sweet apple?
- Pears, same amount.
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